Material handling apparatus



April 17, 1962 w. .1. PERKINS MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 9, 1952 INVENTOR.

BY (M /Z. w 11% .Z ilarney 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

April 17, 1962 w. J. PERKINS MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Original Filed June 9, 1952 April 17, 1962 w. J. PERKINS MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed June 9, 1952 INVENTOR. MM, 2M. BY fi w 44M April 17, 1962 w. J. PERKINS 3,029,955

MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Original Filed June 9. 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 lllullll u:

IN V EN TOR.

Wtiorney w. J. PERKINS MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS Original Filed June 9, v1952 April 17, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l mu AEYS I INVEN TOR. M140 MM BY fillarney 3,029,955 7 I MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS William J. Perkins, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Harnischfeger Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Continuation of abandoned application Ser. No. 292,457, June 9, 1952. This application Dec. 5, 1957, Ser. No.

9 Claims. (Cl. 212-69) This invention relates to revolving cab material handling apparatus for use with cranes, power shovels and the like and it more specifically resides in a revolvable machinery platform carrying a transmission housing formed as a structural part of the platform.

This application is a continuation of my copending application Serial No. 292,457, filed June 9, 1952, now abandoned.

An input shaft, driven by an external prime mover, enters the housing to drive a power transmission which distributes power to motion producing shaft members that emerge from the housing to drivingly engage winding drums, chain sprockets and associated clutch members for the operation of hoisting, digging and like attachments mounted on the platform, and including a shaft which engages the swing gear for the platform.

It is common to provide revolvable cabs that are adapted to provide an interchangeable mounting for cranes, out-stroke shoves, trench-hoes, clam-shells, draglines and other like apparatus. For example, a simple crane requires attachments that comprise primarily a boom and a hook that may be raised and lowered from the boom end. A boom hoist winch and a hoisting cable winch usually are suflicient for this purpose. An additional winding drum to handle a third cable for the op eration of a trench-hoe or a dragline is also usually required. By substitution of chain sprockets for one or more of the cable drums provision can then be made for the operation of the dipper stick crowding action of an out-stroke shovel.

The cab constructions heretofore provided have required frequent periodic individual lubrication of a plurality of bearings and transmission elements that form the driving train for the several motion producing shafts. Also, the side stands in which this machinery has heretofore been mounted are quite separate structurally from the cab deck or frame and thus constitute a load for the frame without adding materially to its strength.

t is an object of this invention to provide a driving system for the cable drum and chain sprocket supporting shafts together with the swing shafts of a revolving cab that is compact and housed within a casing so that those portions of the driving system comprising meshing transmission members may be exposed to a lubricant bath.

It is another object of this invention to dispose the bearing supports and the meshing elements of the transmission train for the drum, sprocket and swing shafts of a revolving cab within an area that is medial with respect to the sides of the cab platform and to provide a housing therefor that is structurally joined with the cab deck to form therewith an integral structural whole having enhanced load sustaining strength.

It is a further object of thisinvention to provide a lubricant bath for the driving elements comprising the transmission train for the drum, sprocket and swing shafts of a revolving cab that has vertically spaced lubricant reservoirs wherein the lubricant of a lower level reservoir is carried to a higher level reservoir by action of the elements constituting the transmission train and in which flow return ducts are provided to maintain proper lubricant levels within the respective reservoirs.

It is still another object of this invention to provide for States Patent 3,029,955 Patented Apr. 17, 1962 quick and easy removal and reinstallation of cable drums and sprocket wheels on a revolving cab without resort to split drums and sprockets to facilitate rerigging of a cab when changing attachments.

' It is a further object of this invention to provide a revolving' cab in which appreciable, distortion in response to loading can occur without damage to the drive system joining the prime mover with the motion producing elements.

These and other objects and advantages will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which there are shown by way of illustration and not of limitation particular forms in which this invention maybe embodied.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view in elevation with parts broken away of a truck crane with the rotatable cab thereof, constructed in accordance with the invention, facing rearwardly to present the right hand side thereof,

FIG. 2 is a left hand side view in section of the houssing for the transmission train of the drum, chain sprocket and swing shafts of the cab shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary rear view in elevation and in section of the boom hoist drum shaft assembly of the cab shown in FIG. I viewed through the plane 3-3 indicated in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary rear view in elevation and partly in section of the hoist and digging drum shaft assembly of the cab shown in FIG. I viewed through the plane 4-4 indicated in FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary rear view in elevation and partly in section of the swingshaft assemblies of the cab of the truck crane shown in FIG. I viewed through the plane 5-5 indicated in FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view partly in section of the left hand end of the boom hoist drum shaft assembly showing an alternate form adapted for use in an outstroke shovel viewed through the plane 6-6 indicated in FIG. 2,

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary rear view in elevation and partly in section of the left hand end of the hoist and digging drum shaft assembly showing an alternate form adapted for use in an out-stroke shovel as it would appear if viewed through the plane 44 indicated in FIG. 2,

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the housing shown in FIG. 2,

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic left hand side view in elevation of a part of a transmission housing like that of the cab of FIG. 1, modified to carry an out-stroke shovel attachment, the chain drive for the dipper stick crowding motion being indicated by broken lines,

FIG. 10 is a view, in section, as indicated at 1010 in FIG. 9, of an idler sprocket mounted upon the transmission housing of FIG. 9, and

FIG. 11 is a side view in elevation and in section of the idler mounting shown in FIG. 10, viewed through the plane 1111 there indicated.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a truck crane '1 comprising a truck chassis 2, a revolvable crane cab 3 mounted upon the chassis 2 and a tiltable boom 4 supported at the fore end of the cab 3. The chassis 2 has attached thereto in a position above the rear axles thereof a circular roller track support 5 carrying a circumferentially extending roller engaging flange 6. Mounted on the inner edge of the flange 6 and welded thereto is an internal swing gear 7 and, as is shown in FIG. 2, concentrically mounted with respect to the flange 6 is a gudgeon post 8.

Revolvable cab 3 includes a machinery deck 9 that is formed in part by the main supporting frame for the apparatus that is carried as a part of the cab 3. At the" forward end of the deck 9 extends a deck plate 10 to the bottom of which a gudgeon sleeve 11, adapted to fit over and cap the gudgeon post 3, is secured. A bushing 12 fitted within the sleeve 11 provides a bearing for the gudgeon post 8, about which the cab 3 revolves.

A plurality of pairs of roller supporting ears 13 are mounted on the underside of the deck plate 10 to receive roller pins 14 upon which are mounted the rollers 15, only one of which is shown. The rollers 15 bear upon the upper surface of the flange 6 to support the weight of the cab 3. To provide additional stability for the cab 3, hook rollers, one of which is shown at 16, are mounted upon brackets 17 that extend below the deck plate 10. Hook rollers 16 are positioned beneath and are spaced slightly below the undersurface of the flange 6 so as to make rolling contact therewith upon a slight tilt of the cab 3.

The after end of the machinery deck 9 carries a depending counterweight 18 and supportsa prime mover 19 which is shown as an internal combustion engine. Directly forward of and coupled to the prime mover 19 is a clutch contained in housing 20 and a transmission 21. An output drive, in the form of a double universal joint 22, extends from the transmission 21 to deliver power to apparatus to be described contained within a housing 23 disposed at the forward end of the cab 3 and which is mounted medially with respect to the sides of the cab 3 for alignment with the universal joint 22.

The housing 23, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, is formed of main side plates 24 welded to the deck plate 10, and of wrapper plates 25 and 26 standing between the side plates 24 and welded thereto at the front top and rear as shown. The side plates 24 are bent laterally at their rear ends as shown more clearly in FIG. 8 to add lateral stiffness. The housing 23 thus adds its strength as a box section to the deck 9.

An operators shelter 27 is mounted on the front righthand side of the deck 9 and to the left of the shelter 27 and directly in front of the housing 23 so as to straddle the longitudinal center line of the platform 9 is the crane boom 4. A gantry 28 having back legs attached at the rear of the cab platform 9 is joined by forward struts to the housing 23. Gantry 28 supports boom hoist reeving 29 that may be drawn in and paid out to raise and lower the boom 4.

Referring again to the sectional view of the housing 23 in FIG. 2, the floor of the housing 23 is shown as composed of a portion of the deck plate 10. The upright transversely spaced fore and aft side plates 24 extend rear- Wardly and flare sidewardly from the housing 23 as noted to form with the machinery deck 9 a rigid load sustaining structure of exceptional strength. The sideward flare of the side plates 24 is shown more clearly in FIG. 8 where it appears that brackets 187 are employed to strengthen the junction between the rear portions of the side plates 24 and the deck plate 16. The rear lateral extensions of the side plates 24 are further joined to portions of the main frame of the deck 9. Brackets 184 are welded to the side plates 24 and frame member plates 185 that form rearward extensions of the plates 24 are secured to the brackets 184 and the side plates 24. Extending directly rearward from the brackets 184 are frame member plates 186 that form a mounting bed for the prime mover 19.

In the foregoing structure the plate 10 need not be provided with beam reinforcements such as characterize prior art devices. The walls 24, 25 and 26 of the transmission housing 23 which are welded on edge to the plate 10 adequately stiffen the plate 10 in the vicinity of the housing 23. The oblique or wing extensions of the walls 24 stiffen the plate 10 between the transmission housing 23 and the mounting bed for the prime mover 19 and the frame member plates 185, 186 which at their ends nearest housing 23 are also welded on edge to the plate 10 further stiffen the plate 10.

The formed plate 26, extending between the side plates 24, has a rectangular opening 31 which serves to provide ready access to the interior of the housing 23. A removable cover plate 32 extends across the opening 31, thus fully enclosing the housing so that it may con tain a liquid lubricant bath.

Extending across the width of the housing 23 is a partition 33 that rises obliquely upwardly from the deck plate 10. Running forwardly from and joined along its rear edge with the partition 33 is a horizontal elevated sump floor 34 disposed beneath the top edge of the partition 33. Partition 33 and plate 34 form, with the side walls 24 and the plate 26 an upper lubricant sump 35, the overflow of which spills over the top edge of the obliquely rising partition 33. The overflow passes down the rear face of partition 33 into a lower lubricant sump 36 that is bounded by the deck plate 10, the side plates 24, the rear wall 25 and the oblique partition 33.

A tubular duct 37, open at both ends, is positioned as shown with its upper end disposed in the upper lubricant sump 35 at a height above the spill over edge of the oblique partition 33 and with its lower end opening into the lower lubricant sump 36.

A bracket 38, secured to the oblique plate 33 in a position medially between the side plates 24, and in alignment with the drive coupling 22 furnishes support for the forward end of a horizontal cylindrical worm seat 39. The seat 39 is supported by and secured at its after end to the vertical wall 25. Rotatably supported within the seat 39 is a worm 40 joined through a flanged shaft 41 to the universal coupling 22 so as to be driven thereby. A seal retaining plate 42 surrounds shaft 21 and appropriate lubricant seals, not shown, are disposed at the entrance of the shaft 41 into the housing 23 to confine lubricant. Directly beneath the seal plate 42 is an inspection plate 43 provided with a plug 44 for monitoring the lubricant supply.

Disposed within the housing 23 is a drive system providing a power transmitting train for the several motion imparting elements of the crane 1. The particular elements in this instance comprise a boom hoist drum shaft 45 and a hoist and digging drum shaft 46 which extend transversely of the cab 3, and a pair of horizontal swing shafts 47 and 48 that in turn alternatively drive a vertical swing shaft 126.

As appears more clearly in FIG. 3, the shaft 45 extends between and passes outward through the two side plates 24 to overhand beyond the sides of the housing 23. Keyed to the shaft 45 and disposed in mesh with the worm 40 is a worm gear 49. The left hand side of the hub portion of the worm gear 49 abuts a stepped shoulder 50 of the shaft 45 and a sleeve 51 surrounding the shaft 45 to the right of the worm wheel 49 abuts the right hand side of the worm wheel 49. Disposed to the right of the sleeve 51 is a sprocket wheel 52 that is keyed to the shaft 45 to rotate therewith. A main shaft supporting bearing 53 is disposed to abut the right hand side of the sprocket Wheel 52 and is mounted within a bearing capsule 54. The capsule 54 is bolted to the right hand side plate 24 and an end plate 55 which in turn is bolted to the capsule 54 restrains endwise motion of the bearing 53, the sprocket 52, the sleeve 51 and the worm gear 49. End plate 55 also acts as a seat for a lubricant seal 56 that bears upon a bushing 57 encircling the shaft 45.

Disposed to the left of the worm gear 49 is a second sprocket wheel 58 that is keyed to the shaft 45. The sprocket wheel 58 abuts a shoulder 59 on the shaft 45 and is retained in position by a left side main shaft supporting bearing 60 which in turn is restrained from sidewise movement by an end plate 61 that is bolted to a bearing capsule 62. The capsule 62 is in turn bolted to the left hand side plate 24. A lubricant seal 63 is mounted within the end plate 61 and encircles a bushing 64 tightly fitted on the shaft 45.

Carried on the right hand side of the shaft 45, overhanging the housing 23, is a boom hoist winch drum 65. The drurn cs is rotatably carried on the shaft 45 by a pair of anti-friction bearings 66 spaced from one another by a sleeve 67. The outer radial end wall 68 of the drum 65 is integrally joined at its periphery with a friction drum 69. Disposed about the outer circumferential surface of the drum 69 is a brake lining 7ft borne by a brake band 71 anchored and controlled by known means not shown. Rotation of the drum 65 may thus be restrained to control the paying out of cable to permit descent of theboom 4, the boom 4 being supported by a cable wound upon the drum 65.

Mounted on the right hand end of the shaft 45 by means of a splined connection is a clutch disc 72 which carries radially expandable clutch shoes 73. The shoes 73 are disposed in facing relation to the inner surface of the drum 69 and may be controlled by known means, not shown, to cause engagement thereof with the drum 69. Upon engagement, the drum 65 is rotated with the shaft 45 as the latter responds to the drive of worm gear 49. A lock nut 74- and washer 75 retain the clutch disc 72 and the bearings 66 in place.

As shown in FIG. 3, the left hand overhanging portion of the shaft 45 when temporarily out of use may be covered by a blanking sleeve 76. The sleeve 76 may be retained in place by a lock nut 77 and a washer '78. When the cab 3 is rigged for operation of a crane, as shown in FIG. 1, the shaft 45 performs only the func tions of paying out and drawing in the boom hoist cable carried on the drum 65 and the left hand extension of shaft 45 is blanked off as described. In the event the cab 3 is to be rigged to operate a shovel attachment the arrangement of which is shown in part in FIG. 9, the left hand portion of the shaft 45 may be furnished with a sprocket wheel 79, as shown in FIG. 6. In this case a pair of anti-friction bearings 80 spaced from one another by a sleeve 81, mount the sprocket wheel 79 for rotation independently of the shaft 45. The sprocket wheel 79 is formed with a flanged outboard end 82 joined with a friction drum 83. Encircling the drum 83 are a brake lining $4 and a brake band 85; mounted and controlled by known means, not shown.

Mounted on the end of the shaft 45 by a splined connection is a clutch disc 86. Mounted on the disc 86 are radially expandable clutch shoes 87 disposed in facing relation to the inner surface of the drum 83. Upon a radial expansion of the shoes 87, by known operating means, not shown, the sprocket wheel 79 is brought into driven relation with the shaft 45.

In FIG. 4 the assembly of the hoist and digging drum shaft 46 is shown. Shaft 46, like the shaft 45, extends between the side walls 24 of the housing 23 and passes outward to overhang beyond the sides. A pair of main bearings 88, each mounted in one of a pair of capsules 89 that are bolted respectively to the side plates 24, rotatably support the shaft 46. Each of the capsules 89 also has mounted therein one of a pair of lubricant seals 913 that are disposed on the outboard sides of the bearings 88. Disposed between the main bearings 88 is a spacer sleeve 91 and a pair of shaft driving sprocket Wheels 92, 93 that are each keyed to the shaft 46. The sprocket wheels 92, 93 are spaced to be coplanar respectively with the sprockets 58 and 52 on the shaft 45. This permits the sprockets 92 and 93 to be driven by means of chains, not shown, passing over the sprockets 58 and 52 in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter.

Mounted on each of the overhanging ends of the shaft 46 is one of a pair of cable receiving drums 94 and 95. The construction of the drums 94 and 95 is similar. With respect to the drum 94, there is shown a pair of antifriction bearings 96 spaced from one another by a sleeve 97 that supports the drum 94 for rotation independently of the shaft 46. Integrally formed with the periphery of the outboard radial wall of the drum 94 is a friction drum 98. Drum 98 is provided with cooling ducts 99 extending longitudinally therethrough dividing the drum in a double walled structure. A brake lining 100 and a brake band 101 encircle the outer surface of the drum 98 the same being anchored and controlled by known means not shown to arrest motion of drum 94. Mounted on the left hand end of the shaft 46 with a splined connection is a clutch disc 102 that carries radially expandable clutch shoes 103, disposed for engagement with the inner surface of the drum 98 upon radial expansion thereof. Control means for the clutch may be of known construction and is not shown. The drum at the right hand end of shaft 46 has associated therewith brake elements 104 and clutch 195 that operate similarly to those described with respect to the drum 94.

There is thus provided a pair of drums 94, 95 to pay out and draw in cable as is needed inperforming certain of the hoisting and digging operations of a crane equipped with a clam-shell, drag-line, or the like for which the revolvable cab 3 may be rigged. If it is desired to rig the cab 3 as an out-stroke shovel, drum 94 on the left hand end of the shaft 46 is removed and in the place thereof a sprocket wheel 106 is substituted, as is shown in FIG. 7. In that case the sprocket wheel 106 is mounted for rotation independently of the shaft 46 upon the bearings 96 in a manner similar to the mounting of the drum 94. An outboard flanged portion of the sprocket 106 is joined with a friction drum 197 identical to the friction drum 98. Brake elements and 101 and a clutch disc 102 are employed to control the sprocket wheel 106 in a manner similar to the manipulation of the drum 94.

To impart revolving motion to the cab 3 a swing shift assembly, shown in FIG. 5, is employed. In this assembly a hub 103 is mounted on the left hand vertical plate 24 extending outwardly therefrom. Mounted in the hub 10% is a pair of spaced anti-friction bearings 109 and a lubricant seal 110 that is disposed at the outboard end. The bearings 1&9 support a rotatable quill shaft 111 that has a flanged end 112 within the housing 23. Bolted to the flanged end 112 is a sprocket wheel 113. The sprocket wheel 113 is disposed to lie within the plane common to the sprocket wheel 58 on the boom hoist drum shaft 45 and the sprocket wheel 92 on the hoist and digging drum shaft 46. Boltedto the left hand end of the quill shaft 111 and overhanging beyond the hub 108 is a clutch drum 114, with a working. rim 115. The drum 114 also has a hollow hub portion 116 the outer surface of which engages the lubricant seal 110 of the stationary hub 108 and the inner surface of which forms a seat for a bearing 117 and a lubricant seal 118. Bearing 117 supports the outboard end of the swing shaft 47 and the inner end of the shaft 47 is supported by a bearing 119 that is mounted within the flanged end 112 of the quill shaft 111.

Mounted on the inner end of the shaft 47 by means of a splined connection is a vertical bevel swing gear 120 that is retained in place by a cap plate 121 bolted to the end of the shaft 47. Mounted on the outboard end of the shaft 47 by means of a splined connection is a hub 122 that engages the lubricant seal 118 and bolted to the hub 122 is a clutch disc 123. Mounted on the clutch disc 123 are radially expandable clutch shoes 124 that are adapted to be engaged with and disengaged from the inner face of the clutch rim 115 by control means of known form not shown.

The bevel gear 121) is disposed in mesh with a horizontal bevel swing gear 125 that is mounted on a vertical swing shaft 126 by means of a splined connection. Shaft 126 extends downwardly beneath the deck plate 10 and terminates in a pinion 127 that is disposed in mesh with the large internal swing gear 7 shown in FIG. 2. Shaft 126 is supported by an upper bearing 128 and a lower bearing 1Z9 seated within a cylindrical housing 130. The housing 130 extends upwardly through an opening in the horizontal plate 34 to which it is secured and leads downwardly to slightly beneath the deck plate 10. A strengthening ring 131 is fitted about the lower end of the housing 130 and is butted against the under surface of the deck plate to which it is integrally secured. A retaining ring 132 bolted to the strengthening ring 131 provides a means of support for a lubricant seal 133 that encircles the shaft 126 and supports the lower bearing 129. A spacer sleeve 134 disposed above the lower bearing 129 extends upward to abut the upper bearing 123. The horizontal bevel gear 125 is retained in position by a cap plate 135 bolted to the upper end of shaft 126.

Upon a rotation of the quill shaft 111 and upon engagement of the clutch shoes 124 with the clutch drum rim 115 torque applied through the quill shaft 111 will be transmitted to the swing shaft 47 and hence through bevel gear 120 to the horizontal swing gear 125. The pinion 127 is thus caused to travel about the internal swing gear 7 causing the cab 3 to revolve about the gudgeon post 8.

To produce rotation of the cab 3 in the opposite direction a similar right hand horizontal swing shaft 48 and associated assembly is provided. In the right hand swing assembly a hub 136 bolted to the right hand vertical plate 24 provides a rotatable mounting through bearings 137 for a quill shaft 138. Shaft 138 has a flanged inboard end 139 to which is bolted a sprocket wheel 140 that is aligned with the sprockets 52 and 93 of the shafts 4-5 and 46 respectively. Secured to the outboard end of the quill shaft 138 is a clutch drum 141 that is similar to the clutch drum 114. A bearing 142 seated within the flanged inner end 139 of the quill shaft 138 and a second bearing, not shown, within the clutch member 141 rotatably support the right hand horizontal swing shaft 48. Mounted on the shaft 48 for rotation therewith is a clutch disc 143 that carries radially expandable clutch shoes, not shown, adapted for engagement with the clutch drum 141. The inner end of the shaft 48 extends beyond the flanged end 139 of the quill shaft 138 and has mounted thereon for rotation therewith a vertical bevel swing gear 144. Bevel gear 144 is retained in place by a retaining cap 145 bolted to the end of shaft 43 and is in mesh with the horizontal swing gear 125 at the side opposite bevel gear 120. Upon torque being delivered through the quill shaft 138 and engagement of the clutch members 141 and 143 the vertical swing gear 144 will cause rotation of horizontal swing gear 125 in a direction opposite that which is imparted thereto by rotation of the bevel gear 120.

The sprocket wheels 58, 92 and 113, as hereinbefore noted, lie in a common plane, and likewise, the sprocket wheels 52, 93 and 149 lie in a common plane. As is shown in FIG. 2 a continuous chain 146 extends between and rides upon the sprocket wheels 52, 93 and 140. To provide for suflicient arcs of mesh between the chain 146 and the sprockets 52 and 140 an idler sprocket 147 rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 148 is provided. In a like manner a second chain, not shown, rides upon and extends between the sprockets 58, 92 and 113.

In operation rotation of the worm 41) is continuous and the worm wheel 49 in mesh with the worm 40 causes a like continuous rotation of the boom hoist drum shaft 45. The sprocket wheels 52 and 58 keyed to the shaft 45 then drive the right hand chain belt 146 and the corresponding left hand chain belt, not shown, which in turn continuously drive the hoist and digging drum shaft 46 and the horizontal quill shafts 111 and 138. Wound upon the drum 65 of the shaft 45 is the boom supporting cable 29 that runs upwardly from the drum 65 to the top of the gantry 28 and hence toward the tip of the boom 4. A hoisting cable 180 is wound on the drum 95 and runs directly from the drum 95 to the tip of boom 4 where it passes over a sheave 181 to fall freely to support the hook and block 182. By operation of the clutches and brakes associated with the drum 65 and 95 the necessary hoisting and lowering operations for the crane may be controlled. Rotation of the cab 3 is carried out in the manner hereinbefore described.

For an out-stroke shovel the left hand side of the shafts 45 and 46 may be equipped with the sprocket wheels 79 and 166 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The change is readily accomplished. By removing the fastening nuts at the left hand ends of the shafts 45, 46 the sleeve 76 and the drum 94 and associated clutch may be slid off the shaft ends. The sprocket wheels 79, 106 and the associated clutches are then slid into position. Split drums and sprockets such as are employed in equipment with shaft supporting bearings disposed at the shaft ends are eliminated.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown the sprocket 79 and the sprocket 1G6 mounted on the left side of housing 23. Directly above the sprocket 106 is an idler sprocket 149. To provide a mounting for the idler sprocket 149 a threaded stud .150, shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, is secured in a threaded hole in the left hand side plate 24 and a sleeve bushing 151 retained in place by a pair of washers 152 and a nut 153 is disposed on the stud 158 to pivotally support a sprocket arm 154. The sprocket arm 154 has a hub 155 in which is mounted a stub shaft 156 that extends outboard to provide a seat for a bearing 157 which rotatably mounts the idler sprocket 149.

A retaining ring 158 holds bearing 157 and sprocket 149 in position. This position aligns the sprocket 149 with the sprockets 79 and 186. Passing through the hub 155 is a slack adjustment rod 159 that extends rearwardly and passes through an opening in a pin 160 that serves also as an attachment for one of the struts of the gantry 28. The adjustment shaft 159 is threaded at its ends to receive nuts 161.

Referring back to FIG. 9, a continuous chain belt 162 extends between and passes over the sprockets 79, 106 and 149 and about a counter shaft sprocket 163 mounted on and keyed to counter shaft 164 in alignment with the pivot center of the boom foot of a boom 165. Any slack that may be present in the chain 162 may be taken up by adjusting the nuts 161 on the adjustment rod 159. An output sprocket, not shown, is mounted on and secured to the boom foot counter shaft 164, and hidden by sprocket 163, as viewed in FIG. 9.

Boom 165 is rigged in known manner with a hoist cable 166 that passes over a small sheave 167 at the point of the boom 165 and leads to the boom hoist drum 65, and with a digging cable 163 which runs form the digging cable drum 95 to the boom point and over one of a pair of large boom point sheaves 169 and thence to a padlock sheave 178 on a dipper 171. The cable 168 returns upwardly from the sheave 170, over a second sheave 169 not shown and to an anchored connection 183 on the boom 165.

The parts which apply thrusting motion to the dipper include a saddle block 172 hinged to the central portion of the boom 165 by a shipper shaft 173. Extending through the saddle block 172 is a dipper stick 174 that is free to slide longitudinally within the supporting saddle block 172. Mounted at the forward end of the dipper stick 174 is the dipper 171.

Crowding and racking in of the dipper 171 is accomplished by a chain drive that is responsive to rotation of the boom foot counter shaft 164. This drive includes a pair of shipper shaft sprockets 175 carried on the shipper shaft 173 directly beneath the saddle block 172 and an idler sprocket 176 mounted on the top of the boom. A chain 177 is anchored to a gusset 178 at the rear end of the dipper stick 174 runs forwardly to the sprocket 175 and thence about the sprocket 175 downwardly along the underside of the boom 165 to the out put sprocket on the boom foot counter shaft 164. The chain 177 after passing about the output sprocket extends over the idler sprocket 176 to the remaining shipper shaft sprocket 175 from which it runs forwardly adjacent the bottom side of the dipper stick 174 to an anchor 179. By adjustment of the anchor 179 slack in the chain 177 may be removed.

To crowd or rack in the dipper stick 174 the respective clutches for the sprocket wheels 7? and 106 are engaged alternatively. By driving the sprocket 79 while idling sprocket 1% the dipper stick 174 is racked in and by driving the sprocket 106 while idling sprocket '79 a crowding action of the dipper stick 174 is. effected. Since both the sprockets '79 and 1% are rotated in the same direction by the gear and chain drive within the housing 23 the idler sprocket 149 is provided to guide the chain 162 across the front peripheral portion of sprocket 11% and the rear peripheral portion of the lower sprocket '79. In this manner the movement of the chain 162 may be reversible.

In the practice of this invention the power train, exclusive of the clutches, for the cable drums and the dipper actuating chain sprockets is compactly confined within an enclosure. This permits the employment of a splashing lubricant bath for the power train. The train as set forth in the description and drawings is comprised of a combination of chain drive and gearing, but if desired, either of these means may be employed to the exclusion of the other or any other type of gearing may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the form of the apparatus shown th'e lubricant is divided between the reservoirs 35 and 36. The action of the chains, such as chain 145 in moving upward from the lower reservoir 36 to above and over the upper reservoir 35, performs a pumping operation that supplies lubricant for the upper reservoir 35. Excess lubricant delivered to the upper reservoir 35 spills over the partition 33 between the reservoirs. The action of the chains and the gears partially submerged within the lubricant of the reservoirs further produces an agitation that sets up a splashing of the lubricant within the confines of the housing 23. All meshing portions of the power train and the bearings that support the rotating shafts are thus amply lubricated and the life of wearing parts is enhanced.

I claim: I

1. In an apparatus of the class described the combination comprising a rotatable crane platform; a prime mover having an output shaft mounted on and disposed to the rear of said platform; a transmission housing having front, back, top and side walls rigidly secured to said platform medially between the side margins of said platform and toward the front of said platform to form a box stiffening member for said platform; an input shaft disposed partly within said housing and extending through a wall thereof to the exterior; coupling means drivingly connecting said prime mover output shaft to said input shaft; a drum shaft disposed partly within said housing and extending through a side wall to. the exterior with a cantilever end portion projecting sidewardly overhanging beyond the side of said housing; a cable winding drum rotatably mounted upon the end portion of said drum shaft for rotation independent of said shaft; a swing shaft for said platform having a driven end within said housing; rotatable swing shaft driving means in engagement with said swing shaft extending from within said housing to the exterior; shaft means disposed partly within said housing and extending to the exterior thereof; a transmission train within said housing including sprocket means and a chain belt drivingly connecting said input shaft to said drum shaft and said shaft means; first clutch means interposed between said drum and said drum shaft engageable to drive said drum with said shaft; and second clutch means interposed between said rotatable. swing shaft driving means and shaft means to drive said swing shaft driving means upon engagement of said clutch means to operate said swing shaft.

2. In an apparatus of the class described the combination comprising a revolvable crane platform; a prime mover having an output shaft mounted on and disposed to the rear of said platform; a transmission housing disposed forward of said prime mover rigidly secured to said platform medially between the side margins thereof and having a pair of spaced fore and aft side members with side and top walls extending therebetween to form a box stiffening for said platform, said side members having laterally flaring rearward stiffening extensions secured at the lower margins thereof to said platform; an input shaft disposed partly within said housing and extending through a wall thereof to the exterior; flexible coupling means drivingly connecting said prim-e mover output shaft to said input shaft; a drum shaft disposed partly within said housing and extending through a side member to the exterior with a cantilever end portion projecting sidewardly overhanging beyond a side member; a cable winding drum rotatably mounted upon said end portion of said drum shaft for rotation independent of said shaft; a swing shaft for said platform having a driven end within said housing; rotatable swing shaft driving means in engagement with said swing shaft extending from within said housing to the exterior; shaft means disposed partly within said housing and extending to the exterior thereof; a transmission train within said housing including sprocket means and a chain belt drivingly connecting said input shaft to said drum shaft and said shaft means; first clutch means interposed between said drum and said drum shaft engageable to drive said drum with said shaft; and second clutch means inter posed between said rotatable swing shaft driving means and said shaft means to drive said swing shaft driving means upon engagement of said clutch means to operate said swing shaft. 7 V

3. In an apparatus of the class described the combination comprising a rotatable platform; a prime mover having an output shaft mounted toward the rear of said platform; an enclosed transmission housing having side, top and bottom walls rigidly secured toward the front of said platform to form a box stiffening member for said platform; a vertically extending partition Wall section within said housing forming a darn defining lubricant 'sumps over which lubricant may flow from one sump to the other; an input shaft disposed partly within said housing and extending through a wall thereof to the exterior; coupling means drivingly connecting the output shaft of said prime mover to said input shaft a drum shaft disposed partly within said housing and extending through a wall portion thereof to the exterior; a cable winding drum rotatably mounted upon said drum shaft portion on the exterior of said housing; a swing shaft for said platform having a driven end within said housing; a pair of rotatable drivers each in engagement with said swing shaft driven end and extending to the exterior of said housing; drive shaft means extending from within said housing to the exterior; a transmission train within said housing drivingly connecting said input shaft to said drum shaft and including a chain belt drive between said drum shaft and said drive shaft means which belt drive extends within one of said lubricant suinps and hence upward and above another of said sumps to pump lubricant from one sump to the other; and clutch means interposed between said drum and said drum shaft and between each of said rotatable drivers and said drive shaft means engageable to drive said drum and to selectively drive said rotatable drivers for actuating said swing shaft.

4. In an apparatus of the class described the combination comprising a mobile undercarriage having a swing shaft engaging track; a revolvable crane platform mounted upon said undercarriage; a prime mover having an output shaft mounted on and disposed toward the rear of said platform; and enclosed transmission housing rigidly secured to said platform forward of said prime mover, fore and aft extending side members rigidly secured along the bottom margins thereof to said platform with top, front and back walls extending therebetween to form a box stiffening member for said platform; an input shaft disposed partly within said housing and extending through a wall thereof to the exterior in driven relation to the output shaft of said prime mover; a drum shaft disposed partly within said housing and extending through each side wall to the exterior with end cantilever portions projecting sidewardly; a cable winding drum mounted on said drum shaft on the exterior of said housing; a swing shaft for said platform having a driven end within said housing and extending through a wall of said housing to engagement with said swing shaft track of said undercarriage; a pair of rotatable swing shaft driving means each in engagement with said driven end of said swing shaft and extending through a wall of said housing to the exterior; shaft means disposed partly within said housing and extending through the walls thereof to the exterior; a transmission train within said housing joining said input shaft to said drum shaft and including chain belt means between said drum shaft and said shaft means; first clutch means interposed between said winding drum and said drum shaft engageable to drive said drum; and second clutch means outside said housing interposed between said rotatable swing shaft driving means and said shaft means to selectively drive said swing shaft driving means.

5. In an apparatus of the class described the combination comprising a revolvable crane platform; a prime mover having an output shaft mounted toward the rear of said platform; a drum shaft and swing shaft transmission housing mounted on said platform forward of said prime mover; an input shaft for said transmission housing in driven relation to said prime mover and extending within said housing; a swing shaft for said platform extending from within said housing to beneath said platform; a pair of rotatable swing shaft drivers each disposed in driving relation within said housing to said swing shaft and extending from within said housing to the exterior thereof, said swing shaft drivers being adapted to impose rotations of opposite direction to said swing shaft; a pair of quill shfits each encircling one of said swing shaft drivers and extending from within said housing to the exterior thereof; a pair of swing clutches each interposed between a swing shaft driver and its respective quill shaft and adapted to engage the respective swing shaft drivers and quill shafts; a drum shaft disposed partly within said housing and extending through a wall portion of the housing to the exterior; a cable winding drum rotatably mounted upon said drum shaft on the exterior of said housing; transmission means within said housing drivingly connecting said input shaft to said drum shaft; a sprocket means on each of said quill shafts and on said drum shaft; a pair of sprocket chains each extending between and in mesh with the sprocket means on a quill shaft and sprocket means on said drum shaft; and drum clutch means interposed between said winding drum and said drum shaft.

6. In an apparatus of the class described the combination comprising a revolvable crane platform; a prime mover having an output shaft mounted toward the rear of said platform; a swing shaft transmission housing mounted forward of said prime mover; an input shaft for said housing disposed partly within said housing and extending outward to the exterior; coupling means drivingly connecting said prime mover output shaft to said input shaft; a swing shaft for said platform extending from beneath said platform to within said housing; a pair of rotatable swing shaft drivers each comprising a shaft in driving engagement with the portion of said swing shaft within said housing and extending from within said housing to the exterior thereof; a pair of quill shafts each encircling one of said pair of swing shaft drivers and having a driven end within said housing and extending from within said housing to the exterior thereof; a pair of sprockets in driven relation to said input shaft; sprocket means on each of said quill shafts; a transmission chain extending between each sprocket means on a quill shaft and one of said sprockets in driven relation to said input shaft; and clutch means adapted to selectively engage said quill shafts with the respective swing shaft drivers.

7. In an apparatus of the class described the combination comprising a revolvable crane platform; an enclosed transmission housing having a floor, side and top panels and adapted to retain a lubricant therein; an input shaft extending into and received within said housing; a swing shaft for said platform extending from beneath said platform to within said housing; swing shaft driving means in driving relation to said swing shaft within said housing and extending to the exterior of said housing; shaft means extending from within said housing to the exterior; a pair of drum shafts journaled in said housing and extending from within said housing to the exterior, one of said drum shafts being disposed in driven engagement with said input shaft; sprockets mounted on each of said drum shafts and on said shaft means, said sprockets being disposed within said housing; a sprocket chain in mesh with and extending between said sprockets adapted to transmit torque between said drum shafts and said shaft means; a cable winding drum mounted on each of said drum shafts; and clutch means interposed between said swing shaft driving means and said shaft means and between each winding drum and its respective drum shaft, said clutch means engageable to selectively drive said swing shaft driving means and said winding drums.

8. In an apparatus of the class described the combination comprising a supporting frame, a platform rotatably mounted upon said supporting frame, a transmission housing upon said platform with an input shaft extending into the same, power means in driving relation to said input shaft, a drum shaft extending from within said housing to the exterior, a cable winding drum mounted upon the portion of said drum shaft on the exterior of said housing that is rotatable with respect thereto, a swing shaft for said platform having a driven end within said housing, a pair of rotatable swing shaft drivers in engagement with said swing shaft driven end for imparting rotation in opposite directions to said swing shaft each extending to the exterior of said housing, shaft means extending from within said housing to the exterior, a transmission train within said housing for imparting rotation to said drum shaft and said shaft means from said input shaft including a chain belt means between said drum shaft and said shaft means, first clutch means outside said housing for engaging said drum shaft with said drum to rotate the drum with the shaft, and second clutch means interposed between said shaft means and each of said swing shaft drivers to selectively engage said swing shaft drivers with said shaft means for imparting rotation to said swing shaft, said housing having a vertically extending partition forming adjacent lubricant sumps and providing a dam over which lubricant may fiow from one sump to the other, in which said chain belt means dips within one of said sumps and extends upwardly over the adjacent sump.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 8 having a lubricant return duct having an intake port disposed at a predetermined level in one of said lubricant sumps and extending to a discharge port in the other sump at a level beneath said intake port.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,763,617 Lichtenbert June 10, 1930 1,820,201 Simmons Aug. 25, 1931 2,144,760 Harnischfeger Jan. 24, 1939 2,214,485 Short Sept. 10, 1940 2,414,146 Ferguson Jan. 24, 1947 2,458,271 Huston Jan. 4, 1949 2,479,838 Huston Aug. 23, 1949 2,524,381 Froussard Oct. 3, 1950 2,558,686 Hubbard June 26, 1951 2,590,787 Nickles Mar. 25, 1952 

